What genre of game is Crowfall®?

Crowfall is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), a game that is played online in a persistent, shared environment with thousands (and thousands, and thousands…) of other players.

We think Crowfall is a unique flavor of MMO, something we like to call “a throne war simulator” because we’ve designed it to be a very different game experience. It has elements in common with strategy games, political simulators, survival games… and a few elements that don’t really exist anywhere else.

Throne war simulator? You mean like Game of Thrones?

Game of who? Song of what? Uhh, no...never heard of it. Any similarities to any existing fantasy novels and/or television shows is purely coincidental.

What platform will Crowfall use?

Crowfall is currently being created for Windows PCs. While we are not opposed to (eventually) looking at other platforms, we have no plans to support them at this time.

What are the camera and control interface like?

Crowfall has a third-person (over the shoulder) view with mouse and keyboard controls. In this particular area, we are similar to many traditional MMOs.

This sounds like there is a lot of player-versus-player fighting. What about monsters (player-versus-environment/pve)?

There are monsters in Crowfall – lots of them – but they are intended to raise the general “threat level” of the game rather than being a primary focus. Crowfall does not have any instanced PvE dungeons, quests and raids; however, the worlds WILL be crawling with monsters and former inhabitants of the dying worlds.

Many modern MMOs have embraced the theme-park design model: players are placed on rails (driven by linear questing) and not allowed to deviated from the expected path. Crowfall doesn’t follow this model. The world exists with a set of rules and players are given the freedom to do whatever they like.

Yes, players will often need to fight monsters to achieve some larger objective (i.e. to gain access to harvesting nodes or points of interest, to scavenge for food and equipment or to simply survive). Many of these creatures will be very challenging to defeat – even for groups of players working together. However, nothing is forcing you to face these challenges. It is up to you to decide which path you wish to take.

Why don’t you support OS/X or Linux?

As a small company creating a game for a relatively small audience, we simply can’t afford to support multi-platform clients. Console is not completely out of the realm of possibility, but it is not a current priority and would require separate funding.

Will there be a single player game mode?

No, Crowfall can only be played as an MMO.

Does that mean I can’t play solo?

You can absolutely play solo, but the universe itself is a shared environment. Many of the game systems are designed to entice you to interact with other players.

What about non-Windows PCs? Can I play on my Mac or Linux machine?

Maybe. A Macintosh that runs in Windows compatibility and a 3D graphics card should work but we are not planning a native client at this time. Other OS variants such as Linux are not being considered at this time, either.

Why would I seek out PVE combat?

Since the game does NOT use a standard advancement mechanic (kill monsters = gain experience = level-up) and instead uses passive training (skills increase over time) it poses the question, “Why fight monsters at all?”

The answer is that it serves some larger objective. For example, certain recipes may require reagents that can only be found by defeating particular creatures. Powerful enchantments require you to capture thralls -- dangerous “ghost” NPCs that can be magically bound into weapons or armor. Resource hubs (quarries, mines and mills) produce excellent resources (in quantity!) but will be difficult to secure. And players will often need to face dangerous creatures in order to stockpile food for the winter.

As the campaign winds down (and winter approaches), survival becomes more difficult. The monsters become more deadly, resources dry up, and the Hunger bleeds the warmth and remaining sustenance from each world.

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